Rome’s Ingenious Water Transport Solutions

Aqua Anio Vetus, the first raised aqueduct assembled in Rome, commenced providing the men and women living in the hills with water in 273 BC, although they had counted on natural springs up until then.
When aqueducts or springs weren’t available, people living at greater elevations turned to water removed from underground or rainwater, which was made available by wells and cisterns.
Beginning in the sixteenth century, a brand new system was introduced, using Acqua Vergine’s subterranean sections to generate water to Pincian Hill.
Pozzi, or manholes, were engineered at standard stretches along the aqueduct’s channel.
During the roughly 9 years he possessed the residential property, from 1543 to 1552, Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi made use of these manholes to take water from the channel in containers, though they were originally built for the purpose of maintaining and servicing the aqueduct.
The cistern he had built to collect rainwater wasn’t sufficient to meet his water specifications.
That is when he decided to create an access point to the aqueduct that ran below his residence.

Pets and Water Features

Give some thought to how your cat or dog may react to a water feature before you buy one.
A pet dog or cat could think that a freestanding fountain is a big pool or a drinking pond.
Your beloved pets will probably take well to a fountain feature in your yard.
Your fountain may attract birds who think it is a fantastic place to cool down, so it is important to think about where you will place this type of water feature.
Installing a birdbath in your yard is the ideal answer if you want to attract birds.
Setting up a wall water fountain inside your house is a good alternative if you want to avoid such issues.
These sorts of fountains are ideal for dental and medical offices, not to mention stately homes.

The Godfather Of Roman Outdoor Fountains

There are countless popular fountains in the city center of Rome.
One of the greatest sculptors and designers of the 17th century, Gian Lorenzo Bernini designed, conceptualized and constructed almost all of them.
Also a city builder, he had skills as a water fountain developer, and marks of his life's work are obvious throughout the streets of Rome.
To completely reveal their skill, mainly in the form of public water features and water fountains, Bernini's father, a celebrated Florentine sculptor, guided his young son, and they eventually relocated in the City of Rome.

The young Bernini received encouragement from Popes and relevant artists alike, and was an diligent worker.
At first he was well known for his sculpting skills.
Most notably in the Vatican, he used a base of experience in ancient Greek architecture and melded it effortlessly with Roman marble.
Though many artists impacted his artistic endeavors, Michelangelo inspired him the most.

Contemporary Sculpture in Early Greece

A good number of sculptors were paid by the temples to accentuate the intricate pillars and archways with renderings of the gods until the period came to a close and countless Greeks began to think of their religion as superstitious rather than sacred, when it became more common for sculptors to portray everyday men and women as well.
Portraiture started to be commonplace as well, and would be welcomed by the Romans when they conquered the Greeks, and quite often well-off families would commission a depiction of their progenitors to be put inside their huge familial tombs.
It is amiss to think that the arts had one aim during the course of The Classical Greek period, a time of creative accomplishment during which the usage of sculpture and various other art forms changed.
Greek sculpture was actually a cutting-edge part of antiquity, whether the reason was religious fervor or visual fulfillment, and its contemporary quality may be what endears it to us today.

Water Features Found in Historical Documents

The water from springs and other sources was originally delivered to the citizens of nearby towns and cities by way of water fountains, whose purpose was primarily practical, not aesthetic.
To generate water flow through a fountain until the late 1800’s, and produce a jet of water, required gravity and a water source such as a creek or reservoir, located higher than the fountain.
The elegance and spectacle of fountains make them ideal for historical monuments.
Crude in design, the first water fountains didn't appear much like modern fountains.
Created for drinking water and ceremonial purposes, the first fountains were simple carved stone basins.
Natural stone basins are thought to have been first used around the year 2000 BC.
The jet of water emerging from small spouts was forced by gravity, the sole power source creators had in those days.
The location of the fountains was influenced by the water source, which is why you’ll usually find them along reservoirs, canals, or streams.
Fountains with elaborate decoration started to appear in Rome in about 6 B.C., commonly gods and creatures, made with natural stone or copper-base alloy.

A well-designed collection of reservoirs and aqueducts kept Rome's public water fountains supplied with fresh water.

A Small Garden Area? You Can Own a Water Feature too!

Since water is reflective, it has the effect of making a smaller space appear bigger than it is.
Dark materials alter the reflective properties of a fountain or water feature.
Night time is a great occasion to draw attention to the lighted, colored underwater lights in your new water feature.
Benefit from the sun’s rays by using eco-lights during the day and underwater lighting fixtures during the night.
The calming effect produced by these is oftentimes used in nature therapies to alleviate anxiety and stress.

The greenery in your garden is the perfect place to situate your water feature.
Turn your water feature such as a pond, artificial river, or fountain to turn the central component of your backyard.
Water features make great additions to both large gardens or little patios.
Considerably transforming the ambience is possible by locating it in the most appropriate place and include the finest accompaniments.

The Original Water Fountain Designers

Multi-talented people, fountain designers from the 16th to the late 18th century typically worked as architects, sculptors, artists, engineers and cultivated scholars all in one.
Leonardo da Vinci as a innovative intellect, inventor and scientific expert exemplified this Renaissance artist.
He systematically recorded his observations in his now famed notebooks about his studies into the forces of nature and the attributes and mobility of water.
Converting private villa configurations into imaginative water showcases complete with symbolic meaning and natural beauty, early Italian water fountain engineers paired creativity with hydraulic and horticultural abilities.
The humanist Pirro Ligorio brought the vision behind the splendors in Tivoli and was distinguished for his skill in archeology, architecture and garden concepts.
For the various properties in the vicinity of Florence, other water feature creators were well versed in humanistic topics as well as ancient technical texts, masterminding the phenomenal water marbles, water highlights and water humor.

Garden Fountains for Compact AreasThe reflective properties of water means it can make small areas look larger than they are.
Dark materials alter the refractive properties of a fountain or water feature.
Night time is a great occasion to draw attention to the lighted, colored...
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Simple Tips to Mount a Wall Water FountainAny room will benefit from the inclusion of a wall fountain.
The effects of the water sounds include bringing serenity and calm to the room.
While any area will benefit from a wall fountain, they are most often placed in entryways.
Even...
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Guidelines for Installing a Wall Water FeatureEnhance nearly any space with the addition of a wall fountain.
The relaxing sound of the waterfall will relax and comfort.
People tend to hang wall fountains in any room where folks gather, but most commonly in entryways.
How to mount one varies a bit ...
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